LePage said Thursday that Fitzgerald is ''the right man to manage the agency in times of emergency.'' The nomination is subject to confirmation by the Maine Senate.

Fitzgerald has worked at MEMA since 2003 and is currently serving as acting director.

Former Director Robert McAleer announced last fall that he was stepping down after presiding over 12 major disasters, including the St. Patrick's Day and Patriots Day Storms in 2007 and Tropical Storm Irene in 2010.